UPDATE: Major new Mayo housing development of 92 homes gets go-ahead

MAYO County Council have given the go-ahead for a major housing development on the Killala Road in Ballina.

Thawside Ltd have received planning permission to build 92 houses in the north Mayo town.

The development will comprise 40 three-bedroom semi-detached houses, ten two-bedroom semi-detached houses, 26 four-bedroom houses and 16 three-bedroom terraced houses including all ancillary site works and connection to public services at Friars Court, Laghtadawannagh, Killala Road, Ballina.

Local representatives have repeatedly voiced concerns about the lack of new housing estates built in the Ballina area in recent years.

Speaking at the January meeting of Ballina Municipal District, Cllr John O’Hara (Fine Gael) said that houses in Ballina had become unaffordable due to the lack of new supply.

“Nothing has happened here for years. An odd estate, it’s just not enough. There’s so many people going up and they’re getting jobs and they just cannot get houses,” said Cllr O’Hara.

Cllr Annie May Reape (Fianna Fáil) tabled a motion before the meeting calling for Ballina to submit an application to the government for an affordable housing strategy.

Five affordable housing units have already been approved at a 50-unit development on Westport’s Golf Course Road, which is due to open this year.

An application for a housing estate with potential for several affordable units is also currently being advanced in Castlebar.